Wattles Lake dam
Wattles Lake
Wattles Lake, located in Sedgwick County, Kansas, is a private earth dam constructed in 2003 by designer OC Carlson for purposes of fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. The dam has a height of 14.5 feet and a hydraulic height of 9 feet, with a storage capacity of 136.5 acre-feet and a surface area of 13.3 acres. The reservoir is fed by Spring Creek and serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area.
Despite its low hazard potential and unlisted foundations, Wattles Lake plays a crucial role in water management and conservation in the region. The dam's normal storage capacity of 91 acre-feet provides valuable water for firefighting purposes and livestock. Additionally, the reservoir supports a variety of aquatic life, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. With its strategic location and efficient design, Wattles Lake serves as a reliable water source for the community of Oxford and contributes to the overall sustainability of the local ecosystem.
Wattles Lake, with its well-maintained structure and low risk assessment, stands as a testament to responsible water resource management in Kansas. Although not regulated by the state, the dam provides essential benefits to the area while posing minimal risk to the environment. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, Wattles Lake serves as a model for sustainable water infrastructure and highlights the importance of proactive conservation efforts in ensuring the resilience of our water resources for future generations.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Wattles Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ninnescah R Nr Peck | 179 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Wichita | 183 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Derby | 226 cfs | → |
| Cowskin C At 119th St At Wichita | 1 cfs | → |
| Floodway At Arkansas R At Wichita | · | → |
| Arkansas R Nr Maize | 93 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wattles Lake.
Boat launches
- West 55th Street South 1378, Wichita
- Wichita
- East 45th Street North 1221, Park City
- East 29th Street North Wichita
Campgrounds
- Lake Afton Park
- Mcconnell Afb Military
- Wellington Lake West Rec Area
- Wellington Lake East Rec Area
- Santa Fe Lake - Augusta
- Napawalla Park
Fishing spots
- Clearwater Chisholm Ridge Lakes
- Wichita Watson Park
- Wichita Buffalo Park
- Wichita Emery Park Pond
- Sedgwick Co. Lake Afton
- Sedgwick County Park
More reservoirs
Track Wattles Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Wattles Lake
Where does the data for Wattles Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Wattles Lake.